New Delhi: India on Thursday strongly condemned the latest attacks in Saudi Arabia that left one Indian national dead and three others injured, asserting that strikes targeting civilian and critical infrastructure are “completely unacceptable” and must cease immediately.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, one Indian national died and two others were injured in the strike on Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport, while another Indian was injured in the attack on Aramco’s Shaybah oil field. “We strongly condemn the continued attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including the attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province on October 21,” it said.
“These attacks have unfortunately resulted in civilian deaths and injuries.”
The MEA added: “One Indian national unfortunately died and two others were injured in the attack on Dammam airport, while another Indian national was injured in the attack on the Shaybah oil field.”
It conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and wished speedy recovery to those injured.
The Indian embassy in Riyadh is in contact with the Saudi authorities and will provide all possible assistance, the MEA said.
“We also reiterate that the attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure are completely unacceptable and must cease immediately.”
“We stand in solidarity with the people and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its sovereignty, and hope that peace and normalcy would return to the region at the earliest,” the MEA said in a statement.
Nineteen Indians, including 11 seafarers, have been killed so far in the West Asia conflict, which began in February following attacks on Iran by the US and Israel.
New Delhi has been consistently calling for finding a solution to the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
On Wednesday, the US state department directed diplomats and family members to leave from its missions in Saudi Arabia, triggering fears of a US strike on Iran.
There has been a sudden escalation in tensions in West Asia, especially after the Houthis carried out several strikes on Saudi Arabia.
India has been voicing serious concern over the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia’s civilian infrastructure and economic assets, cautioning that such strikes undermine regional stability and threaten freedom of navigation through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait.
The Iran-backed Houthi militant group had attacked Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline which is considered very crucial for supply of crude oil.
Ever since the conflict involving Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the East-West pipeline has served as a critical bypass for Saudi Arabia’s oil exports.
The Houthi attacks have also triggered concerns over the safety of the Bab-el-Mandeb shipping lane.
The Bab-el-Mandeb is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, located between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
It connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.
